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Anders Gronnegaard, new development consultant in Denmark (Photo by Anders Gronnegaard 2014)

Interview with Anders Grønnegaard (AG), Denmark and Putter Team Odense

This interview was done the 10. of June 2014. Interviewer is Hans Bergström (HB).

HB: First of all congratulations to your new job as developing consultant at the Danish Minigolf Federation. Can you tell us what you will work with in this new position?

AG: Thank you Hans. My main responsibility is to work with the Danish Minigolf Federation (DMgU) and individual clubs to develop and implement projects aimed at producing a stronger bond between DMgU and individual clubs. Additionally, I am responsible for the development and coordination of new activities within Danish minigolf sports.

HB: Is this the first time DMgU has anyone employed? Can you tell us how this new and interesting progress was made possible for the Danish Federation?

AG: It is the first time that the Danish Minigolf Federation had an employee. The position arose out of closer cooperation between the Danish Minigolf Federation and the Sports Confederation of Denmark (DIF).

Minigolf is a small sport in Denmark and therefore requires a certain type of focus. DIF’s structure combines many of the smaller sports federations into one office space called the Office for Development and Community (KUF), including DMgU. The advantage of this structure is that the employees from various federations are able to freely swap ideas and experiences which each other. DMgU can only benefit from this innovative structure by having me employed and sparring with other small sports federations.

HB: What is your background in minigolf that makes you “the right men for the job”?

AG: I am service minded and I know minigolf, due to my many years (26) competing in the sport, therefore I believe I am the right man to develop the sport.

HB: So, can you tell our readers who is Anders Grønnegaard in private?

AG: My private life is pretty much what you would expect from a 36 year old Dane living with his girlfriend. We have no children and live in the city of Odense on the island of Fyn in central Denmark. Since 1988 I have been playing minigolf, currently I play for Putter Team Odense. For 17 years I was employed in the clothing industry, and more recently took an education as a service economist where I specialized in service and events. When I am not working or playing minigolf I run and go to fitness training, and hang out with my family friends.

HB: How is the support from the Danish Sports Federation in getting you started?

AG: As I stated above the office structure of KUF is one where I sit together with other consultants like myself from other small sports federations, similar to minigolf. This means that we also have similar challenges. By sitting in KUF’s office space I have been able to, through sparring and exchanging ideas with other consultants, gain insight into DIFs strategy that I can then bring to minigolf.

HB: Have you already any plans on visiting the clubs in Denmark?

AG: Yes, Denmark has 23 minigolf clubs, and I need to visit them all before the New Year. Of the 23 I have already visited 15.

HB: Will you also be sharing ideas with any of your international colleagues?

AG: Absolutely, I will do everything I can to share ideas to help our sport to become bigger.

HB: Do you have any ambitions or goals for the development of minigolf in Denmark that you can share with our readers?

AG: My goal is to help the existing clubs find new ideas about how to develop. Every year in Denmark at least one new club starts up, here I am able to help these clubs come into the sport. For example, I am currently working on a new trainer’s education that will make it easier for members to fill the trainer positions in these new clubs. On top of this I am working hard to involve minigolf in Danish school’s sports programs.

HB: Will this mean that you will cut down on your career as active player?

AG: Yes, I will no longer be playing for the Danish National Team, but I will continue to play for my club team. I look forward to using my holidays on something other than minigolf.

HB: Is it possible that our readers might now have more news from Denmark on the Minigolfnews.com website thanks to you?

AG: Yes, I will be contributing with news from DMgU, as well as giving some tips about club development that may be useful to for minigolf clubs around the world.

HB: Do you have any plans for playing in or visiting the international championships in 2014?

AG: Unfortunately no, as I said, I will not be playing for the Danish National Team in 2014. However, that does not rule out a visit to one or two of the international tournaments, where I can meet with others working to develop the sport. I think it is important that we can exchange our knowledge and experiences on an international level.

HB: Thank you for taking this interview and good luck in the future!

AG: It has been a pleasure, and thank you for allowing me to share the developments from Denmark.

A very interesting and important article. Like the article about Bernhard Wicki coaching in Portugal (off tournament related reports) . Thanks to Anders and minigolfnews.com!
It is always great to read and discuss tournament results ,background stories about WC, EC a.m.o. sport issues.
On the other hand it is time to react against the loss of our (little) importance in the global world of sports specially in Europe.
Dear Anders , i would really like to meet you to discuss , exchange ideas and best practise.

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